Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko called Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump 'emperors' and added that, unlike them, he does not need universal love.
“The Lord inspired me to perceive the situation as it is. And He always hinted to me that not everyone will love you... I am not an emperor like Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin. They can afford to ponder about being loved. I do not have the resources they have,” noted the Belarusian leader.
He pointed out that he reads Western media, where he is called the last dictator of Europe: “I am an experienced person. I read: some dirt is being thrown at me, dictator and so on. I take it calmly... I do not have the resources to dictate. Trump has that resource, and he dictates — in Venezuela, in Cuba, he tries to dictate in Iran, to China — to all countries something to dictate.” He emphasized that dictatorship always leads to defeat or collapse.
Lukashenko also stated that the U.S. should “learn democracy” from Belarus. In his opinion, Washington's talks about human rights are “nonsense,” and American politics in other countries does not reflect democracy. The president noted that U.S. policy is determined by interests, not democracy and human rights.
Nevertheless, Lukashenko is open to a “big deal” with the U.S. “It is not true that I am burning with desire to visit the United States of America and simply shake hands with Donald Trump,” he remarked. He believes that U.S. President Donald Trump is probing Belarus's position, projecting it onto Russia. According to him, the agreement will include issues concerning “political prisoners,” as well as topics related to the work of embassies and control over nuclear materials.
Earlier this year, Lukashenko held talks with a U.S. delegation led by special envoy John Cole. After that, Washington lifted sanctions on Belinvestbank, the Development Bank, and the Ministry of Finance of the country, the Belarusian Potash Company, and Belaruskalij, while the Belarusian leader pardoned 250 convicted individuals, The Moscow Times reminds.
